Enhancing the anti-money laundering and asset recovery regime in the Republic of Moldova
The Project on "Enhancing the anti-money laundering and asset recovery regime in the Republic of Moldova" is implemented within the joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe “Partnership for Good Governance” running from 1 March 2023 until 28 February 2026.
It is one of the six projects which constitute the third phase of the European Union and the Council of Europe (EU/CoE) “Partnership for Good Governance” programme interventions to support the Eastern Partnership countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine) to counter economic crime.
As the first bi-lateral project against economic crime in the Republic of Moldova implemented under Partnership for Good Governance, it is predicated on the Council of Europe’s technical assistance results in recent years aimed at supporting the country’s policy and legal frameworks, practices and operational tools to counter corruption and money laundering. These interventions include the EU/CoE joint project on “Controlling Corruption through Law Enforcement and Prevention (CLEP)” and the “Action against Corruption-Phase I and Phase II”. Furthermore, the Moldovan institutions have also benefited from regional actions against economic crime under the PGG Phase I and II.
The overall objective of the project is to provide support to the competent authorities of the Republic of Moldova to enhance the effectiveness of measures against money laundering and terrorist financing as well as to improve capacities of relevant institutions to recover illicit assets.
- Moldovan authorities, financial and non-financial institutions apply robust measures against money laundering and terrorist financing;
- Competent authorities enhance practices for effective tracing, recovery and disposal of criminal assets.
- General Prosecutor’s Office
- Ministry of Internal Affairs
- Ministry of Finance
- Office for Prevention and Combatting Money Laundering
- National Anticorruption Centre (Asset Recovery Office)
- National Bank of Moldova
- Public Services Agency
- National Commission for the Financial Market
- Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs)
- Financial institutions
- Civil society and the general public
The project is built to respond to the current needs and deficiencies as identified by MONEYVAL and in the obligations contained in the European Commission Opinion on the Republic of Moldova’s application for membership of the European Union. Complementarity will be ensured with the existing National Strategy and the related Action Plan for Preventing and Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing 2020-2025 and any future updates of strategic documents. The project is also aligned with Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova 2021-2024, also intended to support the country’s efforts in the fields of anti-corruption and anti-money laundering.
The total budget is EUR 510 000 (80% is co-funded by the European Union and 20% by the Council of Europe).
The “Partnership for Good Governance” (PGG) is a joint initiative of the European Union and the Council of Europe for strengthening good governance in the Eastern Partnership region*.
PGG provides tailor-made support to Eastern Partnership countries to bring their legislation and practice closer to European standards in the fields of human rights, rule of law and democracy. Progress in the EU accession agenda is in focus for Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, as are improved European perspectives for Georgia. The Partnership for Good Governance programme will also continue supporting Armenia and Azerbaijan and is also foreseen to support co-operation with Belarusian democratic forces and civil society.
* While the Partnership for Good Governance does not include activities with the participation of the Belarusian authorities, activities may be organised with the representatives of Belarusian civil society and democratic forces as appropriate in line with the European Council Conclusions of February 2022 and the Decision of the Council of Europe Ministers’ Deputies of March 2022.
Nadejda Plămădeală,
Programme Coordinator,
Lucia HMELIC,
Senior Project Officer